The pope emphasized the complexity of ethical issues, noting that a singular focus on abortion does not fully encapsulate a pro-life stance
Newsroom (01/10/2025, Gaudium Press ) Pope Leo XIV addressed the controversy surrounding Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich’s decision to honor U.S. Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Illinois, who consistently supports legalized abortion, with a lifetime achievement award, urging Catholics to consider the senator’s record holistically and to engage in respectful dialogue to navigate complex ethical issues.
The pontiff’s remarks, made Tuesday at the papal villa of Castel Gandolfo near Rome, came in response to mounting criticism from U.S. bishops over Cupich’s plan to recognize Durbin for his immigration advocacy, despite the senator’s consistent support for legalized abortion. Ten bishops, including two bishops emeritus, have publicly opposed the award, with some labeling it a “source of scandal.”
“I am not terribly familiar with the particular case,” Pope Leo told reporters in response to a question from EWTN News. “I think it’s important to look at the overall work that a senator has done during, if I’m not mistaken, in 40 years of service in the United States Senate.”
The pope emphasized the complexity of ethical issues, noting that a singular focus on abortion does not fully encapsulate a pro-life stance. “Someone who says I’m against abortion but is in favor of the death penalty is not really pro-life,” he said. “Someone who says I’m against abortion but I’m in agreement with the inhuman treatment of immigrants in the United States, I don’t know if that’s pro-life.”
He called for unity and dialogue, stating, “I would ask first and foremost that they would have respect for one another and that we search together both as human beings and in that case as American citizens and citizens of the state of Illinois, as well as Catholics, to say that we need to be close to all of these ethical issues.”
The controversy erupted after Cardinal Cupich announced that Durbin would receive a “Lifetime Achievement Award for support to immigrants” at the Archdiocese of Chicago’s Keep Hope Alive celebration on Nov. 5. Critics, including Springfield, Illinois, Bishop Thomas Paprocki, argued that honoring Durbin, given his pro-abortion voting record, contradicted Church teaching on the sanctity of life.
Seven active U.S. bishops joined Paprocki in calling for Cupich to reconsider, including Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco, Bishop James Conley of Lincoln, Nebraska, and Bishop David Ricken of Green Bay, Wisconsin. Recently retired Archbishop Joseph Naumann of Kansas City, Kansas, and Bishop Emeritus Joseph Strickland of Tyler, Texas, also condemned the decision.
Naumann, in a statement to the National Catholic Register, said, “Dialogue does not require giving awards to Catholic political leaders who disregard the most fundamental of human rights, the right to life of the unborn.”
On Sept. 30, Cardinal Cupich announced that Durbin had declined the award, effectively resolving the dispute. In a statement, Cupich revealed that Durbin informed him of his decision not to accept the honor, citing the global backlash, including the pope’s comments and criticism from fellow bishops.
Cupich defended his initial decision, citing 2022 guidance from the then-Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, which encouraged bishops to engage in dialogue with Catholic politicians. However, he canceled scheduled meetings with the Catholic Conference of Illinois and a separate gathering of Illinois bishops amid the controversy.
The debate underscores ongoing tensions within the U.S. Catholic Church over how to engage with Catholic politicians whose public stances conflict with Church teachings. Pope Leo’s call for a broader consideration of ethical issues reflects his broader approach to fostering dialogue on contentious matters.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from CNA
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